Paws and Effects

Therapy dogs have been very effective in reducing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression in veterans.

We assist veterans who have spiritual or emotional wounds who desire and would benefit from having an emotional therapy dog to receive one to help them heal from their injuries.

We work with a dog trainer who sits in on the counseling sessions to determine the needs of the veteran. The trainer then will find a dog to help our veteran and will continue to work with the veteran and the dog to make sure both work well together.

Welcome
new Paws & Effect Team Member

Goodbye Holly

Lilly, our new Golden Retriever therapy puppy born on 11/24/16.

2006 - 2016

LMVFM has adopted "Paws and Effect" team member Stanley. Stanley when he was an 8 wk old English Labrador Retriever. He loves to travel and loves to play in the snow

Jake and Maggie train together, going through a series of basic command and control steps which help establish each others role, while providing the behavioral foundation required of all service/therapy dogs.

This gift bag for "Lady" a therapy dog going to a veteran. is an example of ways our ministry friends and partners support the work of our ministry. Among the gifts in the bag were things, such as dog grooming items, treats, toys that anyone adopting a new four pawed friend would find helpful.

Meet "Sarge", LMVFM's first therapy buddy. At just five weeks old, Sarge volunteered and reported for duty at LMVFM back in 2008.

Though the VA has yet to recognize the therapeutic value of therapy animals for veterans who have been spiritually and emotionally traumatized, we not only recognize their value, but believe that veterans in need of trained and certified therapy dogs/animals should have ready access to them. If fact, we believe so strongly in the therapeutic value of service animals that we have a four legged LMVFM team member named "Holly" that has become a ministry favorite among those we serve.